Read recent news of interest from the world of infectious diseases including insights and updates on COVID-19, handwashing, hepatitis, malaria, measles, and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) …
Can You Still Get a COVID-19 Vaccine at Any Age? Health officials announce changes that will likely curb access to shots for some people under age 65. Robert H. Hopkins Jr., MD, medical director of the National Foundation for Infectious Diseases (NFID), says the changes could “raise additional concerns in the healthcare professional community about the value of vaccinating people at all who are under 65, if they don’t have major health conditions … the framework also excludes people who want to get the vaccine to reduce their risk of long COVID, which affects more than 20 million Americans.” According to the CDC, research shows that COVID vaccination is the best way to prevent long COVID, including in children. Source: AARP
4 Biggest Handwashing Mistakes That Could Increase Germs and Viruses: Proper handwashing could save a million lives a year—and yet many people are doing it improperly, often due to misconceptions surrounding the practice. Doctors recommend washing with soap and water for at least 20 seconds to reduce the spread of infectious diseases. “We need to reinforce the importance of this simple tool,” said NFID Medical Director Robert H. Hopkins, Jr., MD. The NFID 2025 State of Handwashing Report provides details on Americans’ handwashing habits (and mistakes). Source: Fox News
Q&A: Myths, Misinformation Surrounding Hepatitis Vaccines: Amid a noticeable mistrust in healthcare information, especially regarding the effectiveness of vaccines, pharmacists must stay equipped with useful ways of counseling patients hesitant to receive vaccines. For hepatitis vaccines specifically, pharmacists must navigate myths of hep A and B vaccines causing injury and promote the safety and effectiveness of immunization schedules. “… Remember, hepatitis B was our first cancer vaccine. It actually prevents cancer. So, when you’re thinking about positive messages to counter some of the myths around it, most everyone can get around prevention of cancer,” said Jeffery A. Goad, PharmD, MPH, President of the National Foundation for Infectious Diseases (NFID). Source: Drug Topics
Computational Model Maps Over 67,000 Malaria Epitopes to Improve Vaccine Targeting: A new computational pipeline developed at the University of Maryland School of Medicine may help improve malaria vaccine development by addressing 2 major challenges: the genetic diversity of Plasmodium falciparum and variability in human immune genes across African populations. The model was presented at the 2025 NFID Annual Conference on Vaccinology Research. Source: ContagionLive
What’s Happening with Measles in the US as of May? The best way to control measles is by making sure you and your family are up to date on all vaccines, including measles. 2 doses of the measles vaccine is highly effective and safe. Once you get the measles, there are no approved antiviral treatments. Clinical care includes supportive therapy and possibly immune globulin (antibodies to the measles virus) for severe cases. Vitamin A does not prevent measles virus infection and is not a substitute for vaccination. A hospitalized child may receive vitamin A as part of supportive therapy to help their immune system fight the infection. Parents should never attempt to treat their child at home with high-dose vitamin A. Source: Those Nerdy Girls
Parents Are Receiving Mixed Messages About Measles from RFK Jr.: Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is more directly promoting measles vaccinations following the death of a second unvaccinated child. But he continues to highlight remedies that medical experts say do not prevent or treat the virus. As the number of measles cases grows around the country, experts worry that parents and other caregivers are getting mixed messaging about the safety of vaccines. According to Patricia A. Stinchfield, RN, MS, CPNP, an infectious disease nurse practitioner and NFID Immediate Past-President, “There is no specific treatment for measles, though doctors can try to treat secondary symptoms that might emerge from an infection. The way that it’s being framed is confusing and misleading and kind of off the main message, which should be to vaccinate, vaccinate, vaccinate.” Source: The 19th
Maternal RSV Vaccines Show Promise for Infant Protection but Raise Safety Concerns: Maternal RSV vaccines have shown effectiveness in preventing lower respiratory tract infections and RSV-related hospitalizations in infants, according to a new meta-analysis presented at the 2025 NFID Annual Conference on Vaccinology Research. However, safety concerns associated with one vaccine candidate have led to calls for enhanced monitoring in future maternal vaccine trials. Source: ContagionLive
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